Welcome!

Ms.Shannon O’Haverty received her masters of science in occupational therapy from Tufts University in 1994.  She has been a pediatric therapist working with children ages zero through adolescents throughout her career.  Her areas of expertise are sensory processing, early intervention, early childhood intervention, and school based pediatric therapy. Ms. O’Haverty has worked in public school systems, early intervention, private clinics and home health services. She has presented lectures in school settings and universities on the topics of sensory processing, sensory regulation, administration and interpretation of pediatric evaluations, and therapeutic yoga for children. Ms. O’Haverty was the occupational therapy liaison and fieldwork coordinator for Boston Public Schools from 2006-2011 placing graduate students in clinical settings, and providing training and supervision to new therapists.  She was also the professional development coordinator for the occupational therapy department. In addition Ms. O’Haverty is a registered yoga teacher specializing in gentle and therapeutic yoga for children and adults. Ms. O’Haverty’s therapy focuses on therapy to reduce tension, stress and anxiety in children and adults.

April Ricciardone
MS, OTR/L, SIPT trained
co-founder

April is an occupational therapist with 20 years experience working with children and families in a variety of settings with children with physical, neurological and developmental diagnosis. She has a long history of living and working in the Boston area, attending Tufts University, earning multiple degrees in undergraduate and graduate school. April has worked in a variety of setting, including the public and private sectors. Her many years of experience working in outpatient sensory integration clinics, home health services, public school settings and rehabilitation for children and adults in urban and public as well as the private sector make her a very experienced, talented, seasoned therapist devoted to the children and families she serves.

Children’s Occupational Therapy & Associates provides comprehensive assessment for fine motor and gross motor development, visual motor and ocular motor skills, sensory processing, and daily functional performance in the context of home and educational settings.

Occupational therapy interventions at Children’s Occupational Therapy & Associates are highly individualized, play-based and child-directed. All activities will be purposeful and goal directed.   Parent education is highly valued, and consultation will be a pertinent part of each therapy session.

Occupational Therapy services treat many diagnoses including:

• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Learning Disabilities
• Attention Deficit Disorders
• Developmental Delays
• Fine and Gross Motor Coordination Disorders
• Trauma, Attachment, and Adoption histories
• Other psychological and neurological conditions

• Poor self – regulation and emotional dysregulation
• Difficulty in group settings
• Poor motor coordination
• Avoidance of gross motor activity and/or playground equipment
• Poor postural strength and control, and low muscle tone
• Poor sleep or feeding patterns
• Rigid with transitions, new activities, or changes in routine
• Difficulty with self-care and self-help tasks
• Illegible handwriting skills
• Excessive sensory seeking behaviors
• Sensitivity to touch, which can impact dressing and hygiene routines